As Thanksgiving approached and kitchens filled with turkeys waiting to be stuffed, the Rockville Centre Lions Club spent part of a recent afternoon stuffing toy lions instead — part of a new effort to bring comfort to children who have encounters with village police.
The Lions and the South Side High School Leos teamed up for a weekend of community service that paired a food drive with a new initiative to provide comfort toys to children who experience trauma during police calls.
The Leos — a student branch of the Lions — spent the day outside the King Kullen supermarket in Rockville Centre on Nov. 8 collecting food donations for families in need. Marian Thomsen, the Lions’ marketing communications chair, who volunteers at the Soup to Nuts food pantry in Freeport, said that the students’ presence helped make the drive a success.
“I think they were so nice and young, and I think people found them very hard to resist,” Thomsen said. “The food drive was very successful.”
She said she delivered a carload of food to the Soup to Nuts Kitchen, while “the majority of the food goes to the (Rockville Centre Recreation Center), and the rec center divvies it up where they feel is needed.”
Thomsen added that donations also went to Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David, and Nassau County veterans. Gift cards were included as well, and turkeys were distributed through the recreation center.
About a dozen Leos participated throughout the day in rotating shifts, according to Lions former President Bill Manteria, who said the students’ enthusiasm helped draw greater support from shoppers.
“If a Lion asks for a food donation, yeah, people are very accommodating,” Manteria said. “But if a Leo does … people are far more receptive.”
South Side senior Amalia Breen, president of the Leos, said she was outside the supermarket for two to three hours, and the experience exceeded her expectations.
“We raised a lot more than I even expected,” she said. “We filled up our boxes so quickly. We had to take so many trips to the rec center to drop everything off. We were getting so many people that were giving us full carts of items. It was truly amazing.”
Maureen Jordan, the Lions’ treasurer, said that the Leos also collected about $900 in gift cards and $273 in cash that day.
The Lions also used the weekend to launch a new project: lion toys stuffed with polyester fiberfill stuffing which will be distributed to the Rockville Centre Police Department for officers to give to children who are involved in emergencies.
Thomsen said the idea came from another Lions Club member who had seen it done elsewhere. “It’s the first time,” she said. “It’s never been done here.”
Jordan said the idea came from her sister, a Lions member in Florida. “She does regular stuffed animals, but we were like, ‘Hey, why don't we do a lion?’” Jordan said. “It’s so cute.”
She approached Rockville Centre Police Commissioner A. Randy Dodd to gauge his interest. “I asked if he'd be good with it,” Jordan said. “And they were like, ‘Are you kidding me? We come across some domestic violence cases or a car accident, or a child’s upset. So, this would be absolutely fantastic.’”
The club ordered 48 unstuffed lions, each with a packet of measured polyester fiberfill stuffing and a small T-shirt featuring the Lions’ logo. Members gathered on Nov. 9 to complete the project in about two hours, according to Jordan.
Dodd said the lions would give officers an immediate way to connect with and comfort children in crisis. The group plans to give the toys to the Police Department soon.
“When children experience a traumatic event, even a small source of comfort can have a tremendous impact on their emotional well-being,” Dodd said in a statement. “Our officers often meet young people during moments of fear, uncertainty or crisis, and having something soft and reassuring to offer can help ease that anxiety and establish a sense of safety. This thoughtful initiative speaks to the compassion and community spirit that defines Rockville Centre. We are grateful to the Lions Club for their continued support, dedication and generosity.”
Mayor Francis X. Murray praised the Lions for expanding their tradition of service with a project that strengthens the bond between residents and first responders.
“The RVC Lions Club has long been a pillar of service in our Village, and this newest project is yet another example of their dedication to uplifting our community,” he said in a statement. “By providing these stuffed lions, they are offering children a meaningful source of comfort at a time when it is needed most. Their kindness speaks volumes about the strength of our local organizations, and we are sincerely thankful for the Lions Club’s thoughtful and inspiring contribution.”
For Thomsen, participating in both service efforts was especially meaningful.
“It means a lot, particularly this happened during the government shutdown,” she said. “It’s gratifying to help out people when they need things.”
